Agenda item

(i)           Report of the Corporate Director of Regeneration and Local Services.

(ii)          Presentation by Principal Policy Officers, Regeneration and Local Services.

The Chair welcomed the Principal Policy Officer, Peter Ollivere, Policy Officer, Rebecca Winlo and the Sustainability and Climate Change Team Leader, Maggie Bosanquet who were in attendance to speak to the Committee in relation to Ultra-Low Emission Vehicles (for copy see file of minutes).

The Principal Policy Officer thanked the Chair and noted Ultra-Low Emission Vehicles (ULEVs) included hydrogen fuel vehicle, however, in the main the term mostly referred to regular electric vehicles.  He referred Members to figures highlighting the successes in terms of household CO₂ reduction in the UK and the Council, showing a 44 percent reduction nationally between 1990 and 2017, with Durham County Council (DCC) having achieved a greater reduction of 52 percent in that period.  It was explained that one of the elements of household CO₂ emissions that had not changed greatly was transport emissions and it was added that ULEVs could help in this regard.

The Committee noted policy headlines that included Road to Zero, Government aiming for 50-70 percent of all car sales to be ULEVs and the end of ‘conventional petrol and diesel’ vehicle sales by 2040.  It was added that there were questions in terms of Government’s target, noting that Norway had targets of 100 percent zero emission cars for 2025 and with 50 percent of car sales to date in 2019 being ULEVs.  Members were reminded that the Council had declared a climate emergency, with several other Local Authorities in the region doing so namely Gateshead, Newcastle, Northumberland and Sunderland.  The Committee were reminded that the Low Carbon Strategy (LCS) predicted exponential growth in ULEVs, with Members referred to maps of the region showing the increase from 2014 through to 2018, noting currently only around 2,500 electric vehicles in the region.  Members noted projections for exponential growth in electric vehicles, with upper and lower limits of 219,000 and 86,000 by 2030.

The Principal Policy Officer explained that a Council Internal Working Group looking at ULEVs had been established in 2019, with representation from various Council Teams including: Spatial Policy; Transport; Low Carbon; Corporate Property and Land; Legal; Procurement; Funding and Programmes; and Fleet.  It was added there was regional workstreams links to NECA projects, an example being funding in relation to electric vehicle taxi charging, with details of workstreams being set out within the report.

The Principal Policy Officer referred Members to a slide detailing ULEV Policy for DCC, split by areas: equity and equality; infrastructure; funding; information; education; public transport; and fleet.  Members were given information as regards the aims and projects within each area, noting in terms of equality and ensuring access for everyone within the County to EV charge points, the Scaling on Street Charging Infrastructure (SOSCI) project had secured £2 million to deliver approximately 100 charge posts across County Durham, with a pilot scheme to locate the charge posts within a five minute drive of terraced streets.  It was added that terraced streets represented 40 percent of properties within the County.

The Principal Policy Officer explained that in terms of infrastructure the aim was to create the right conditions to support people to make the switch to an electric vehicle.  He explained that the largest barrier to increasing electric vehicle uptake was a lack of charging points, and projects would include: electric filling stations; where to locate SOSCI; and renewal of existing charging posts.  It was noted that in terms of the aim to secure funding to support increased take up of electric vehicles this would include issues relating to: the location for SOSCI; ERDF/Transforming the Cities funding for Park and Ride; and a taxi point at Chester-le-Street.

Members were informed that in terms of the aim to work with Durham University and partners for further knowledge and opportunities, work had been undertaken on driver behaviour.  It was explained that research carried out by Durham University had shown that drivers of electric vehicles did not experience range anxiety, however potential drivers of electric vehicles did.  Members noted other issues highlighted by the research included quality and accessibility of charging infrastructure and those having set “A to B” journeys being more likely to drive an electric vehicle, with women being less likely to drive an electric vehicle.

The Policy Officer explained that in terms of the Council’s fleet and pool cars there was an aim to reduce carbon emission, demonstrate the viability of electric vehicles and save public money in terms of running costs.  She added that the associated project would look to replace existing pool and fleet vehicles with electric vehicles when due for renewal and any procurement of new fleet vehicles must demonstrate a business case for not choosing an electric vehicle.  The Policy Officer referred the Committee to slides highlighting rapid charging points and the electric vehicle roadshow, featuring the Portfolio Holder, Councillor C Marshall.

The Principal Policy Officer noted that other Local Authorities were in various positions in relation to electric vehicles with Dundee leading the way with 95 vehicles, around 40 percent of their fleet.  It was added around 15 percent of their taxis were electric, with their target being 25 percent within a few years.  He added Dundee operated a free parking scheme for owners of electric vehicles, had two rapid charging hubs within the city centre, and offered free electricity for residents, albeit on a temporary basis. 

The Principal Policy Officer noted work being done by North Somerset Council, highlighting their partnerships with Elmtronics, a company based in Consett, who installed 34 dual electric vehicle charges in North Somerset and a further 22 to other Local Authorities in the West of England Combined Authority as part of a £7 million package “Source West”.

The Principal Policy Officer noted a new full-time post had been created to help deliver projects, although there were still challenges and that the help of Members was greatly appreciated.

The Chair thanked the Officers and asked the Committee for their comments and questions.

Councillor E Adam noted the great deal of work being undertaken, in the context of the climate emergency declared by the Council.  He asked as regards the focus in terms of barriers to the uptake of ULEVs and noted the latest studies showed the problem being the lack of charging systems.  He noted issues in terms of: different types of charging systems; the ability to know whether a charging point was being used; the cost of ULEVs; and terraced housing as mentioned within the presentation.  The Principal Policy Officer noted is some areas the Council could influence to a small extent, with standardisation being something the industry was moving towards.  He added there was little the Council could do in terms of the cost of vehicles, and highlighted in Norway the cost of a ULEV was comparable with a non-electric vehicle.  The Policy Officer reiterated as regards the 100 charging points being worked towards and added that there was legislation aimed at standardising charge points.  She explained there were government grants available in terms of electric vehicles and that estimates in terms of the reduction in the cost of batteries and increased efficiency suggested costs would decrease. She added that the Council would look to procure a large strategic partner to deliver a network for County Durham. 

The Sustainability and Climate Change Team Leader explained that the Durham University research had gathered a lot of information, noting that not only were electric vehicles expensive there were also waiting times in order to purchase.  She added the Electric Vehicle Roadshow event had been very successful and it was hoped a similar event could provide further promotion and Overview and Scrutiny Members would be invited to attend in November.  The Principal Policy Officer noted that consultation in terms of parking and access standards, planning applications would look to have larger requirements in terms of the ability to have charge points installed, with a Government White Paper on the issue.  Councillor E Adam asked as regards existing housing and how to encourage people to take up electric vehicles and whether work was being undertaken with social housing providers to get them to look at installing charging points.  The Principal Policy Officer referred to the SOSCI project and the Sustainability and Climate Change Team Leader added that they would explore the idea of working with social housing providers to investigate the installation of charging points.

Councillor T Tucker asked as regards properties that did have in-curtilage parking and asked if there was grants or incentives available to help meet the cost of installing charge points.  The Principal Policy Officer noted there was information as regards grants and scheme he could circulate to Members.

Councillor T Henderson noted issues in terms of charge point locations.  He referred to the Barnard Castle area noting that many small Town and Parish Council’s did not know where to go to seek advice and explained as regards the lack of provision of charge points, the nearest being at West Auckland, an issue in the largely rural county.  The Principal Project Officer noted the SOSCI included areas within the Dales and there would be consultation with communities to gather feedback and buy-in.  He reiterated that a new Project Officer would help in terms of working with Town and Parish Councils and AAPs on consultation.  Councillor T Henderson noted that information for Members would be useful to be able to help provide feedback to Town and Parish Councils.  The Policy Officer noted that this was an issue the new Officer could look at once in post.

Councillor R Ormerod agreed with the points raised in relation to the Council leading by example with their fleet, however, he noted the new headquarters plans only included eight electric charge points and asked if there could be assurance the number could be increased in the future.  The Principal Policy Officer commented that he thought the figure was currently ten charging points however the Fleet Manager was in discussion with the relevant colleagues in relation to charging points at the new headquarters and commented that the Fleet Manager would be attending the Environment and Sustainable Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee in January 2020 to provide detail on proposals for the Council fleet.

Councillor L Maddison recalled an electric vehicle display held at County Hall a few months back which featured an electric refuse vehicle and asked as regards any progress on this.  The Sustainability and Climate Change Team Leader noted that the Head of Environment, Oliver Sherratt was very passionate as regards electric vehicles, however some of the larger vehicle were very expensive, although it was hoped that as prices reduced, they could become more viable.  She added that in the case of larger vehicles, hydrogen powered vehicles could be an option, though they were complex issues associated with this option.  She noted the initial focus was on car and small vans at first, with the larger vehicles when viable, and the rurality of the county was also a factor to be considered when looking at solutions.

Mrs R Morris asked as regards public transport within the County, noting Bergen, Norway operated electric buses.  She also asked as regards linking to the NELIS area of strategic importance “energy”, as mentioned in the previous item, and if there were opportunities not just in terms of off-shore wind farms.  The Principal Policy Officer noted that there was the Low Carbon Strategy and that the Council worked with all the NECA Local Authorities and the NELEP Energy Officer, tying into the NE LIS not just in terms of electric vehicles in isolation. 

Mrs R Morris noted she felt County Durham was very good, however, as a rural county there were specific needs.  The Principal Policy Officer noted that 70 percent of journeys within the County were private car journeys.  Mrs R Morris wondered if companies and organisations would be willing to subsidise for electric buses for their workers.

The Sustainability and Climate Change Team Leader noted that there was a European Rural Development Fund call, due January 2020, for transport areas looking at solutions such as solar powered car ports and canopies for charging vehicles and larger solar farms that could provide free charging for electric buses.  She added that there were a few places in the country that operated electric buses, however, there were some complex issues in terms of ownership.  Members noted that work was ongoing including with the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS).

Councillor S Dunn noted that many of the reports being considered by Members did not appear to have a Climate Change section within Appendix 1 – Implications.

Councillor R Ormerod left the meeting at 10.45am

He asked as regards the costs of the electric refuse vehicles, noting he would expect that the Authority would be progressively replacing vehicles over time and while there would be a cost implication, he would like to think the Council would utilise the best technology possible.  Councillor S Dunn also noted that if use of electric buses was to grow then public transport would need to be more attractive, especially in rural areas and asked if we work with commercial partners in terms of electric vehicles.  The Principal Policy Officer noted that in terms of the DCC Fleet the procurement process now included the requirement to prove why an electric vehicle would not be chosen.  The Sustainability and Climate Change Team Leader noted the Council had two electric vans and the assumption was now whenever a vehicle was to be replaced it would be an electric vehicle unless there was a case not to.  She added that in terms of commercial operators it was perhaps more difficult, noting the work of Lanchester Wines to become carbon neutral and reminded Members of the Business Energy Efficiency Project (BEEP) with one strand being to support small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in terms of installing electric charge points.

Councillor T Tucker asked as regards any work ongoing in terms of having alternative power at existing filing stations and would there be something in place to keep employment going, with a large number of existing filing stations and if demands for petrol and diesel were to lower many filing stations would struggle.  She also noted that in regard to the new Council headquarters and charge points, that was not the only Council base, with a number of other strategic sites. 

The Sustainability and Climate Change Team Leader noted there was an ERDF bid in terms of solar panels for our depots, with a hope to be have Morrison Busty 100 percent carbon neutral and noted work at the Louisa Centre, Stanley albeit not connected to electric vehicles.  She noted the comments in relation to existing filing stations and there was larger national work being undertaken by organisations such as the Highways Agency as regards motorways and electric charge points.  The Principal Policy Officer noted some large oil companies were investing in charge technology companies in preparation.  

Councillor E Adam noted the good work being undertaken, however, felt that within the UK we were perhaps still ‘playing at the game’ and that investing in public transport and moving heavy goods off roads and on to rail was required.  He added that perhaps more focus on electric vehicles, park and ride, taxi infrastructure to prevent pollution from vehicle idling noting only one charge point at Chester-le-Street.  Councillor E Adam noted that looking at a national map of charge points most were within the major cities, with only three points in between Newcastle and Leeds, adding the infrastructure was not there yet.  He understood the constraints of what the Council could achieve and noted Climate Change Activist Greta Thunberg highlighting at a United Nations meeting that we should not be simply using mealy words.  He added as Chair of the Environment and Sustainable Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee there would be a visit to Lanchester Wines next year and there would be an update report on Climate Emergency at the October meeting of the Environment and Sustainable Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

Councillor J Clare noted he felt a key barrier to electric vehicles was range, with many potential electric vehicle drivers being reticent to make the change on that basis.  He added that in terms of fleet use there was a need to ensure a large enough range to be safe.  He explained that installing a charge point was around £3,000 however grants of around £500 were available when purchasing certain electric vehicles.  He highlighted that a charge from the mains could take up to ten hours.  He added that current electric vehicle owners were ‘explorers’ and explained that as technology improves it would be important to provide good information and advice to the public.

Mr G Binney noted that and Energy Trust report had highlighted hydrogen as an alternative fuel for large vehicles such as lorries and buses and asked how such technology would be utilised, especially for rural areas, and asked if a mix of hydrogen and electric could be the solution.  He added that batteries for electric vehicles also had a limited lifespan and contained toxic materials, so he felt that new battery technology, recycling of batteries and hydrogen were the future and asked if those elements were part of the overarching strategies.  The Principal Policy Officer noted the points made and noted that it was important to be able to react quickly to changes in technology.  The Policy Officer noted that funding was always something to keep an eye on, with there being some uncertainty in terms of the national picture relating to hydrogen. 

The Sustainability and Climate Change Team Leader noted there was always an issue in terms of which technology would emerge as the de-facto standard and therefore we need to be prepared to take advantage of available funding and react to policy and economic drivers. 

Resolved:  

(i)      That the report and presentation be noted.

(ii)      That the progression of the Workstreams set out in this report be noted.

(iii)     That the significant potential of the SOSCI project to fund EV charge points in rural and low-income areas be noted.

(iv)     That the Committee supports the development of a ULEV Strategy.

(v)     That a further report and presentation is received at a future meeting of the Committee detailing further progress made.